Method and apparatus for using remote station as backhaul in a coordinated manner

Abstract

There is provided a wireless system comprising a first base station, a second base station, a remote station capable of communicating with one of the first base station, the second base station and both first and second base stations and a wireless terminal coupled to the remote station for communication with one of the first base station, the second base station and both first and second base stations. The remote station includes a switch or multiplexor for switching communication between the first and second base stations. The schedule is predetermined centrally within the wireless network or locally by negotiation between base and remote stations.

1 . A remote station for communicating with more than one base station comprising:
 a first transceiver communicating with a terminal;   a second transceiver having first and second communication modes for communicating with two base stations;   means for changing the second transceiver between the first, second modes in dependence upon on a schedule; and   a schedule based upon at least one of error rates measured, signal and noise, interference measurements, and capacity available.   
   
   
       2 . A remote station as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for changing is a switch. 
   
   
       3 . A remote station as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for changing is a multiplexor. 
   
   
       4 . A remote station as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the schedule is predetermined. 
   
   
       5 . A remote station as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the schedule is determined centrally within a network. 
   
   
       6 . A remote station as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the schedule is determined locally by negotiation between one of a base and a plurality of remote stations, a plurality of base stations and a plurality of remote stations, and a plurality of remote stations. 
   
   
       7 . A wireless system comprising:
 a first base station;   a second base station;   a remote station capable of communicating with one of the first base station, the second base station and both first and second base stations; and   a wireless terminal coupled to the remote station for communication with one of the first base station, the second base station and both first and second base stations.   
   
   
       8 . A wireless system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the remote station includes a switch for switching communication between the first and second base stations. 
   
   
       9 . A wireless system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the remote station includes a multiplexor for switching communication between the first and second base stations. 
   
   
       10 . A wireless system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the schedule is predetermined. 
   
   
       11 . A wireless system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the schedule is determined centrally within a network. 
   
   
       12 . A wireless system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the schedule is determined locally by negotiation between one of a base and a plurality of remote stations, a plurality of base stations and a plurality of remote stations, and a plurality of remote stations. 
   
   
       13 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network comprising the steps of;
 establishing primary coverage by deploying a first plurality of base stations;   expanding primary coverage into secondary coverage by deploying a second plurality of remote stations, at least one remote station capable of communicating with at least two of the base stations;   the at least one remote stations providing enhanced service to a wireless terminal by coupling to one or more of the base stations in dependent upon a schedule.   
   
   
       14 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the schedule is predetermined. 
   
   
       15 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the schedule is determined centrally within a network. 
   
   
       16 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the schedule is determined locally by negotiation between one of a base and a plurality of remote stations, a plurality of base stations and a plurality of remote stations, and a plurality of remote stations. 
   
   
       17 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network as claimed in  claim 13  wherein coupling includes a direct wireless link between the one of the remote stations and two of the base stations. 
   
   
       18 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network as claimed in  claim 13  wherein coupling includes a wireless link via another of the remote stations. 
   
   
       19 . A method of communicating with a wireless terminal in a wireless network as claimed in  claim 13  wherein coupling includes a plurality of wireless links via a plurality of the remote stations.